curculio

[Lat.=acorn-worm, a weevil.] Entomology: *1. A genus of insects founded by Linnæus It included all insects which had a prominent rostrum or beak, with the antenne sub clavate and inserted upon it. In the System a Naturæ 95 species are enumerated. The genus is nearly identical with the modern family of Curculio nide, which is a very large one. The beetles contained in it are popularly called Weevils. [WEEVIL.] 2. The genus, now much restricted, is the type of the family Curculionidae. Curculio imperial is is the Diamond Beetle, so called from the splendor of its colors. It is brought from Brazil. chin, bench; go, gem; thin, this; Lias. There are some also in rocks doubtfully re garded as of Eocene age at Taklee, near Nagpore, in Central India. cur-cu-11-on-1-dēş, s . pl . [Lat. curculio (gen it. curculio nis )=a beetle, and fem. pl. adj. suff. -ides .] Entom.: The equivalent in the cla ification of Schoenherr of the family Curculio nidæ. He makes it a much higher designation, and proposes numerous divisions and sub-divisions. cũr'-cu-mạ, s. [From Arab. curcum, the name of the turmeric plant. (See def.)] Bot.: A genus of Zingiberacese (Ginger worts). Curcuma longa is the turmeric plant. The corm is about as thick as the thumb, and is divided into several parts. The leaves, which are about a foot long, are lanceolate in form and sheathing. The flowers are in terminal spikes, bracteate, with a pale yellow flower in the axil of each bract. It is extensively cultivated in Bengal. The tuberous rhizomes furnish the substance called Turmeric (q. v.). The "root" or rhizome of C. zedoaria ( Alpinia racemosa ) and C. zerumbet ( A. galanga ) are aromatic stimulating. The starcho rubescens, C. an gust i folia, and some other Asiatic species constitute East Indian arrowroot. curcuma-paper, s. [TURMERIC PAPER.]